Article

29th August 2015, 14:22

GLANTAF 40 WADE DEACON 6 - Welsh Gold at Wembley

It was the biggest day in the history for Cardiff-based
Welsh speaking school Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf and they
didn’t disappoint as they dominated the Year 7 Rugby League
Champion Schools Final, beating Widnes school Wade Deacon
40-6 at

CHAMPION SCHOOLS YEAR 7 NATIONAL FINAL

YSGOL GYFUN GYMRAEG GLANTAF (CARDIFF) 40 WADE DEACON (WIDNES) 6

By Ian Golden at Wembley Stadium

It was the biggest day in the history for Cardiff-based Welsh speaking school Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf and they didn’t disappoint as they dominated the Year 7 Rugby League Champion Schools Final, beating Widnes school Wade Deacon 40-6 at Wembley Stadium.

Just seven games into their Rugby League careers, the 12-year olds from the Welsh capital lit up Wembley Stadium and entertained all, bar Widnes based fans, with their skills throughout the 40 minute game.

This happened on what already was a memorable day for Cardiff and Wales at Wembley Stadium. On this, the 120th birthday of Rugby League, a statue featuring five Rugby League greats was unveiled outside the ground, with two of them being Cardiff-born Billy Boston and Gus Risman, who both made their name in the north playing the 13-man game.

The past was celebrated outside the ground and the potential future of the Welsh game was on display inside and Glantaf took the lead in the second minute after a very clever play fooled the Wade Deacon defence as Rhodri Thomas collects a high bomb, weaves through to score. Jac Lloyd converted well.

Wade Deacon were soon back in the game as a gap was opened up from Sam Craig and he ran in under the sticks. Marco Williamson converted to level things up.

But Glantaf were soon back in the lead and didn’t look back. Gwilym Evans set up Cai Marcus Jemmett to score in the corner to make it 10-6. Lloyd missed the kick.

The third try for Glantaf came on 17 minutes when Iwan Jones, ran from the half-way line beating every Wade Deacon player that challenged him, to score under the sticks. Lloyd converted to make the score 16-6.

Then Glantaf captain Gwylim Evans went over at the second attempt after initially being stopped short. Lloyd was unable to convert on this occasion. 20-6 at the break.

Straight into the second half and Glantaf extended their lead after Josh Atkinson went over in the corner. Lloyd converted to make it 26-6.

Glantaf continued to run riot as Wade Deacon had no answer to the skills of the Welsh lads who have still never lost a game of Rugby League in their lives.

A Sam Woods try in the corner extended the lead to 30-6 before Gwylim Evans followed him over for his second and Glantaf’s seventh. Both went unconverted.

A try from Fin Lovett with four minutes to go that Lloyd converted, completed matters and the very large support from Cardiff went wild.